Got this e-mail from the ATA:
Once again we ask our loyal Arizona Trail supporters for help. Will you please vote so the trail will win a $50,000 grant?
The ATA has been selected as a finalist to compete for a grant to help build some of the last miles of the trail. The grant winner will be decided by public voting from April 1 to May 31. Will you please take a few minutes everyday and vote for the trail? You can vote daily online and by text message (yep twice a day). Please be patient with the first time online voting. After clicking Arizona Trail “Vote for this”, you will then have to fill out the registration form (don’t forget your password) and then, at the bottom of the page, click “Vote for the Arizona Trail”. After the first time you will thankfully not have to fill out the form. Like we said please be patient.
Also, if you don’t know how to text message, the Arizona Trail Association has instructions at http://www.aztrail.org/redwoodcreek_grant.html
So please vote Chicago style - twice a day, once online and once by text message. Here’s what to do:
PLEASE VOTE EVERYDAY TO HELP THE ARIZONA TRAIL RECEIVE A WINNER TAKE ALL $50,000 GRANT TO BUILD THE SAGUARO NATIONAL PARK CONNECTOR TRAIL More details about this “winner take all” grant are at www.aztrail.org or www.blazethetrail.com/greatoutdoors/vote
HOW TO VOTE EVERYDAY - From April 1, 2009 through midnight on May 31, 2009, you, (and please ask your friends to vote too) can vote everyday for the Arizona Trail project - once ONLINE DAILY and also once via TEXT MESSAGE DAILY during this period (yes twice a day, just like in Chicago). Vote online at http://www.blazethetrail.com/greatoutdoors/vote AND ALSO• using your cellphone, text to the number 39668 (Yes, a five digit number) and text the word trail (if you don’t know how to text message take a look at the instructions on the above ATA web page. It’s pretty easy).
THE PROJECT: This winner take-all grant would build five difficult miles of the Arizona Trail into Saguaro National Park east of Tucson. Due to the remote location in a rugged wilderness area, these miles must be constructed by hand. Not only will this project help complete the trail, it allows access into backcountry and protects a sensitive riparian area as well.
All votes for the trail are appreciated.
Sirena